Dr. Irene G. Pratt is the daughter of two of Miami’s earliest pioneer: The Reverend Samuel Albert Sampson and Margaret Rottery Sampson. Rev. Sampson founded the first black Baptist church in the City of Miami- Macedonia Baptist in Coconut Grove, and went on to organize another church, Mt. Olivette Baptist Church in Overtown in 1912. Dr. Pratt, born November 20, 1896, enjoys the distinction of being both the sole surviving member of Mt. Olivette , as well as the first Negro baby born in Dade County.

Her early years of schooling were received in Coconut Grove. Dr. Pratt attended the Florida Normal School in Jacksonville, the Baptist Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Nannie Burroughs School of Religion in Washington, D.C. She has taught in places such as Nassau, Cat Island and Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. She was married to the late Samuel Albert Pratt.

In recognition of her church work and community involvement, Dr. Pratt was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities Degree from Arkansas Bible college in 1966. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States and has been around the world three times to speak to young people and spread goodwill.

Dr. Pratt has dedicated her life to serving the church and to the betterment of young people.